Organizer Information
Futuress is a hybrid feminist publisher and online learning platform situated at the intersection of design and social justice. Based in Switzerland but operating globally, the platform aims to democratize design education and amplify marginalized voices. Futuress focuses on "de-patriarchizing" and "decolonizing" the creative industries through workshops, fellowships, and weekly stories. Their mission is to foster critical thinking and support the community in crafting their own narratives as a tool for collective resistance.
Title & Description
Pressing Issues – Printing Futures, Publishing Resistance
Pressing Issues is a curated online event series and learning program that examines the politics of translating, archiving, and publishing. The 2025/2026 season, themed "Printing Futures, Publishing Resistance," focuses on how experimental and independent publishing serves as a site of political resistance. The program features a sequence of lectures, tutorials, and discussions led by international artists, researchers, and publishers who explore topics ranging from Iranian feminist periodicals to queer Arab slang and the materiality of feminist archives.
Categories
The program is interdisciplinary, targeting professionals and students in:
- Visual Art & Graphic Design: Specifically experimental and independent print publishing.
- Literature & Writing: Translating marginalized narratives and anti-ableist storytelling.
- Archival Studies: Researching feminist and grassroots history.
- Social Practice: Community-run initiatives like the "Sister Library."
Eligibility
- Who can apply: Open to artists, designers, researchers, educators, and activists worldwide.
- Perspective: The program is designed for those interested in feminist pedagogies and radical publishing.
- Accessibility: As an online program, there are no geographical barriers to participation.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Educational Access: Participation in high-level lectures and technical tutorials with leading figures in radical publishing (e.g., Chimurenga, GenderFail, Sister Library).
- Networking: Direct interaction with a transnational community of creators and activists during live Q&A and community sessions.
- Resource Development: Specialized knowledge in starting a publishing house for "profit-for-survival," navigating access questions, and indigenous feminist print publishing.
- Recording Access: Typically, paid participants receive access to recorded sessions to accommodate different time zones.
Application Fee
This is a paid program using a sliding-scale structure to ensure equity. Participants choose the tier that matches their financial situation:
- Solidarity: CHF 290
- Standard: CHF 150
- Reduced: CHF 70
- Low Income: CHF 35 (Prioritized for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled creators).
- Note: All proceeds support the labor of the speakers and the sustainability of the Futuress platform.
Application Requirements
- Personal Information: Basic contact details via the registration form.
- Financial Commitment: Payment of the series or individual session fee.
- Intent: Some workshops within the series may ask for a brief statement of interest to ensure the curriculum meets participant needs.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 22 January 2026
Location
Online
Additional Details
Futuress operates with a specific "bridging" language policy, using English to connect transnational audiences while remaining critically attuned to the power politics of translation. The Pressing Issues series is especially relevant for those looking to build "profit-for-survival" models in the arts rather than relying on traditional non-profit or commercial frameworks.